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Gzi beads with circular symbols are said to have ¡±eyes¡±, or Mig in Tibetan. That eye design can expel evil and safeguard from misfortune is not a saying exclusive to Tibetan Buddhism. Similar beliefs are held by other religions. It is mentioned in Chinese Buddhist scriptures that ¡° Under the surveillance of five eyes, devils from the four directors will get frightenend and awe¡±. I have no idea of the representative symbol of ¡° Five Eyes¡±, but it is clearly said that these eyes can intimidate devils of the four directions. In other words, they have the miraculous power of expelling and subjugating demons. According to Buddhist text, ¡° Five Eyes¡± are Human Eye, Divine Eye, Wisdom Eye, Dharam Eye and Buddha Eye.

1. Human Eye: eyes of human beings, unable to see things in dark or to penetrate obstruction.

2. Divine Eye:eyes of divine beings, able to see things clearly regardless of light and dark, distant and near. Such ability is obtainable through devotional practice and accumulation of merit.

3. Wisdom Eye: eyes of Buddhist disciples, able to penetrate false phenomena and realize what is ¡°void¡±.
4. Dharma Eye: eyes of Bodhisattva, able to perceive all means of releasing from reincarnation and achieving Buddhahood. Also can see clearly all laws of truth.

5. Buddha Eye: eyes of the Buddha, or eyes of omniscience, able to see that all laws of truth are non-void and non-existent, and understand its imperceptibility. One who possesses Buddha Eye must also posses other eyes.

The religious significance of the eyes of Gzi beads should come within the scope of the Five Eyes ans noted in Buddhist text. In Taiwan, the eyes of Gzi beads are identified either as Ordinary Eye or Vajra(Diamond)Eye or Buddha Eye. I think that it is quite appropriate to group Human Eye and Divine Eye under Ordinary Eye, and Wisdom Eye and Bodhisattva Eye under Vajra Eye. The Buddha Eye among the Five Eyes is similar in significance and function to the so-called Buddha Eye on Gzi beads. Their representative symbols are shown in the illustrations.

There is no standard way of identifying and computing the eyes of Gzi beads. It varies with individual preference. As a veteran collector of Gzi beads, I have derived a simple way of counting these eyes. All blac(Brown)areas enclosed by white areas can be reckoned as ¡±eyes¡±, regardless of their shape. For instance, a Gzi with three Vajra Eyes and three pairs of triangular eyes in the shape of tiger teeth can be identified as a nine-eyed Gzi. There are many special eye designs. Please refer to pictures and descriptions of Gzi beads contained in this book.